We all like to get a bit merry during the festive period, and these festive cocktail recipes don't disappoint in getting you in the mood to celebrate the end of the year. So why not try these simple Champagne cocktails to wow your friends at your next holiday party?
Bucks Fizz
I remember coming home one Christmas Eve to my parents 'perfecting the Bucks Fizz recipe'. They'd read somewhere about adding Cointreau or Grand Marnier but couldn't quite remember how much. It's been a family favourite on Christmas morning ever since (hair of the dog and all that I expect). Fortunately for you, I can save you the Christmas Day hangover with my fool proof, absolutely delicious, Bucks Fizz recipe.
Serves 1
100ml Champagne (or sparkling wine)
50ml Orange Juice (no bits)
5ml Cointreau or Grand Marnier
Orange twist to garnish (optional)
STEP 1 Simply add a splash of Cointreau or Grand Marnier to the bottom of your flute or goblet wine glass.
STEP 2 Top with 1 part Orange Juice to 2 parts Champagne.
STEP 3 Garnish with an orange twist to go a bit extra for Christmas.
Spice 75
My all time favourite cocktail is a French 75 and it's super easy to make at home. For Christmas, I've created a spiced version for an extra festive twist on the classic that tastes and smells of...Christmas! I've used Tanqueray's Flor de Sevilla Gin here for the festive orange taste but you can swap for brandy or another festive liquor.
Makes 6
60g Golden Caster Sugar
1 tbsp Allspice
200ml Orange Gin
90ml Lemon Juice
600ml Champagne
6 Cinnamon Sticks to garnish (optional)
STEP 1 To make the spiced syrup, gently warm the golden caster sugar in a pan with 30ml water and allspice until the sugar has dissolved, then leave the mixture to cool. Strain through a sieve lined with a coffee filter (or a double layer of kitchen paper works pretty well).
STEP 2 Pour 60ml of the spiced syrup into a cocktail shaker along with the orange gin and lemon juice. Shake with ice and strain between six goblet glasses. Top up with champagne and garnish each with a cinnamon stick.
Festive Gin Fizz
This works well with seasonal sloe gin which you can easily make at home if you're well organised. This year, I wasn't. And the stores near me didn't seem to be either so I discovered a lovely blackcurrant gin from Tanqueray which gives Kir Royale vibes to this delicious cocktail.
Serves 1
50 ml Tanqueray Blackcurrant Royale Gin or Sloe Gin
30 ml Lemon Juice
15 ml Sugar Syrup (similar recipe to above but hold the spices)
50 ml Champagne
Lemon Peel Twist to garnish
STEP 1 Mix the gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup in a shaker and shake
STEP 2 Add crushed ice to a goblet glass
STEP 3 Add the gin mixture to the glass and top with Champagne
STEP 4 Garnish with a lemon peel twist.